A table setting at AAA Five Diamond Rated Ocean House in Westerly, R.I., is thoughtfully arranged.

(Photo: Cassandra Raposo)

At a AAA Five Diamond Rated resort such as Ocean House in Westerly, R.I., guests can expect luxurious, personalized service.

Take the napkin, for example. Whether you receive a black or white cloth napkin – rolled up like Thai ice cream and gently placed in front of you with a pair of tongs – depends on the color of your clothing. You wouldn’t want to get white lint on your black pants or dress, after all.

Every detail – from the French china and homemade sea salt (yes, you read that right), down to the silverware placement – comes together to make an unforgettable dining experience.

Want to recreate a similar experience at home? Restaurant leaders and waitstaff recently shared their secrets to setting the perfect table.

Place several drinking glasses to the right of guests’ plates: one for plain water, another for sparkling water and a third for Champagne. Ask which they’d prefer, then remove the other two glasses.

Use different utensils based on what guests are eating. For example, fish knives may be a bit funny-looking, but they’re perfect for removing bones from cooked fish. Appetizer forks and knives are smaller than entree forks and knives. Steak knives have a sharp tip and serrated edge, made for cutting thick portions of meat. Soup spoons are more circular than dessert spoons, made to hold as much broth as possible.

Fold cloth napkins into fun shapes. Luckily, you don’t have to be an origami master to bring art to the table. There are helpful step-by-step instructions with photos online for doing every fold there is – from a simple pyramid to an intricate lotus fold.

Set the mood with decorations. At dinner, a candle in the center of the table will set the mood. At breakfast or lunch, a colorful flower in a small vase will brighten up the table.

Provide several different types of salt and pepper for your guests to sprinkle on their food.

Place utensils a fingernail length away from the edge of the table – close enough for guests to comfortably reach them, yet far enough to keep them from falling off.

Open up a dessert box or bring out a three-tier dessert stand at the end of the meal to get one last smile out of your guests.